8/3/08
A Focused Life
1. Motivate
What devices do you use to enable you to focus and see things more clearly either closely
or at a distance?
- eyeglasses
- magnifying glass
- contact lenses
- telescope
- binoculars
2. Transition
Today  we will use God’s Word to enable us to focus more clearly
- Specifically we will focus on the person of Jesus.
3. Bible Study
3.1 God Has Spoken
Listen for ways in which God has communicated to people over the years.
Hebrews 1:1-3 (NIV) In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in
various ways, [2] but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all
things, and through whom he made the universe. [3] The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact
representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification
for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
List words and phrases from this passage which describe how God the Father has
communicated to people.
- through prophets
- at many times
- in various ways
- through His Son, Jesus Christ
In what way were is the picture we have of God in the Old Testament incomplete?
- prophets didn’t have the complete picture
- their prophecies were often cryptic, symbolic
- sometimes they spoke to specific situations – “forth-telling” rather than foretelling
- they didn’t realize what the Messiah would be like (a spiritual savior, not a political
or military leader)
At the same time, how does it benefit Christians today that God has spoken in many
diverse ways?
- we get a variety of viewpoints
- we see different things about God and what He is doing
- God is great and diverse … we need many types of revelation
- we get to see and read all the ways God communicated in the past
- We can put them together today to get a fuller picture of His purposes
- we have hindsight to help us make more sense of all the different communications
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8/3/08
A Focused Life
The writer says that “in these last days” God spoke to us by His Son, Jesus. What
descriptions are given in the passage about Jesus?
- He is the appointed heir of all things
- He is the creator of the universe
- He is the radiance of God’s glory
- Jesus is the exact representation of God the Father
- Jesus sustains all things by His powerful word
- He provided purification for sins
- He sits at the right hand of God the Father in heaven
Why do you think the author of Hebrews made such a point of Christ’s deity to these
Hebrew Christians?
- some of them thought of Him only as a teacher, a rabbi
- others thought He might have been just a martyr
- some didn’t know of or believe in Jesus’ resurrection
- many of them didn’t see Him as the promised Messiah
What does Jesus’ life tell us about God that we wouldn’t know otherwise?
- God is a personal God – He can (and wants to) communicate with us as individuals
- God is willing to give of Himself to provide for our redemption
- God understands our feelings, our temptations, our problems – He lived as a human
- He told us things about Himself and about God the Father that we didn’t know
- Jesus fulfilled what the prophets had been predicting … His work of redemption
- Jesus IS God … He came personally
- God loves us
- God overcomes death
Based on what we have learned about Jesus in this passage, how should we relate to
Jesus?
- worship
- awe, reverence, fear
- submission
- trust, faith
- loving obedience
- service
3.2 Jesus Is Superior
Listen to how the writer contrasts Jesus and angels.
Hebrews 1:4-6 (NIV) So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior
to theirs. [5] For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have become your
Father"? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son"? [6] And again, when God brings his
firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him." … [10] He also says, "In the
beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. [11]
They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. [12] You will roll them up like a
robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end." [13]
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8/3/08
A Focused Life
To which of the angels did God ever say, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for
your feet"? [14] Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
According to these two passages, what are angels like? What is not true about angels?
- the angels are inferior to Jesus
- their names (authority, identity) is inferior to that of Jesus
- they are not God’s sons
- the angels worship Jesus
- they are created beings, they are not eternal
- angels are not seated at the right hand of God
- they are ministering spirits
- they are sent to serve those who will inherit salvation
When, if ever, have you sensed that angels were ministering to you or watching over
you?
- protection
- rescue
- help in a tight situation
- kept kids from danger
What facts do we learn about Jesus from this passage?
- Jesus is superior to the angels
- Jesus is God’s Son
- Jesus deserves the worship of the angels
- Jesus is the creator (the earth, the heavens)
- Jesus has always been and will always be – He is eternal
- Jesus sits at the right hand (of favor) of God the Father
 Even though angels often interact with us as God’s messengers …
- God does not intend for us to worship them
- We declare our thanksgiving and continued trust to God for his intervention in our
lives
Why do you think so many people refuse to accept and worship Jesus?
- they don’t know about Jesus yet
- they have too many other things in their lives which they think are more important
- they don’t believe in who Jesus really is
- they don’t think there is a God or don’t know if anyone could know God if there is
one
- they have other deities to whom they bow down (literally for heathen cultures,
figuratively for materialists or humanists)
What could you tell God today that indicates your trust and worship of Jesus?
- thank Him each day for His protection
- declare your trust in Him as you face each problem
- pray about everything
- tell other people what Jesus has done in your life
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8/3/08
A Focused Life
3.3 The Consequences of Neglect
Listen for warnings which you should heed.
Hebrews 2:1-4 (NIV) We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do
not drift away. [2] For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience
received its just punishment, [3] how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation,
which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. [4] God also testified
to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
What reasons are given for paying attention to Truth we have heard?
- so we don’t drift away
- so we don’t ignore such a great salvation
- to avoid disobedience and punishment which results
What kinds of things do you think would cause us to drift away?
- anger and bitterness
- when problems come, you get focused on the problems rather than God’s power to
handle them and His love for you
- yielding to temptations
- neglecting regular communication with God (hearing His words, talking to Him in
prayer)
How would you recognize if you were drifting?
- lack of interest in spiritual things
- church attendance tapers off
- using coarse language, choosing ungodly friends
- excessive interest in entertainment of a sensual nature
How do you correct your “drifting?”
- repent – turn away from sin, turn to God, get back on course
- focus on Jesus
- hear Him, talk to Him
- declare your trust in Him
What evidences or statements of proof are given in this passage of the reality of our
salvation?
- it was announced by Jesus, Himself
- real people heard Him say it
- His power and authority were demonstrated by signs, wonders, miracles
- He has given believers spiritual gifts
How can we help ourselves pay closer attention to God’s Word?
- read it with understanding, looking for the meaning
- ask God to help you apply the passage to your life
- get into the good habit of a daily reading of God’s word
- join with others in a Bible Study
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8/3/08
A Focused Life
4. Application
4.1 Identify activities or relationships that distract you from focusing on Christ
- Determine to eliminate that activity
- Reorder your priorities to put Jesus first in your life
- Ask God for the strength to make these choices
4.2 Do a Bible study which leads you to a deeper understanding of Jesus
- Consider Isaiah 53
- What elements of the chapter can you identify which seem to be future references to
Jesus
- Follow marginal references which point to New Testament fulfillments of the
prophecies
4.3 When the writer spoke of not neglecting “so great a salvation” he was talking to
believers
- Focus your thoughts this week on Jesus Christ and His great salvation
- Paying attention to Jesus means not only hearing but heeding His Word
- We are several generations removed from those who actually saw and heard Jesus
live, but we can read about His life, His message in the New Testament – it gives us
Truth from those who were with Him
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